The Best Skiing in the Midwest – An Insider’s Guide
Recently, some friends have asked me to recommend some ski resorts out west for their winter vacation. I LOVE skiing out west! You really can’t go too wrong booking a ski trip there.
But if I may, let me suggest a ski trip you might not have considered – a Midwestern ski trip!
“Whaaaaa? You’re drinking your bath water, Ashley”
Look, I know the midwest isn’t exactly Mecca of the ski world but the north shore of Lake Superior holds a hidden gem unlike anything else in the midwest – the Sawtooth Mountains!
Sandwiched between the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness and Lake Superior, the Sawtooth Mountains offer views and activities unmatched anywhere else in the midwest.
Rising to almost 1,700 feet, you will get the best of both worlds – elevation change without elevation sickness.
To top it off, you’ll get the warmest hospitality Minnesota has to offer.
Where to Ski
There’s only one answer here – Lutsen Mountains, mid-
If you want a second opinion, Outside Magazine brags up Lutsen –
“Secret tree stashes? A hairy double-black-diamond chute? Terrain and powder that feel more West than East yet lie in the heart of the country? Lutsen has them all.”
Currently, Lutsen has 4 mountains, 95 runs, a 825’ vertical rise, and a picturesque eight passenger gondola.
I’ve skied this resort as a kiddo, high school ski racer, and now as a season pass holding recreational skier. I spend most of my time on Moose Mountain, which has my favorite views, runs, and, to be honest, my favorite bar. What can I say, skiing and a good ale pair well.
Moose Mountain is a gondola ride from the heart of the resort and offers some mellow runs along with some runs so steep your ski tips hang off the edge.
If you want to ski the entire resort, start your day at Moose where the sun shines first. Have lunch at the grill then hop on the gondola back to Eagle Mountain where you can visit Mystery Mountain as well.
If you’ve got folks or kiddos learning to ski, Ullr Mountain is where you’ll want to spend your time.
Where to Stay
You’ve got options!
If you want the convenience of ski in/ski out, stay at Eagle Ridge Resort right on the ski resort property. You’ll enjoy dining and live music seven days a week.
If you want luxury, Bluefin Bay is for you! You’ll enjoy a full spa, upscale dining, and decadent lodging.
If you want to stay at my favorite place you’ll be booking a few nights at Lutsen Resort on Lake Superior! It’s the oldest resort in Minnesota, founded in 1885.
My dad and I affectionally refer to the rooms as “keebler elf rooms” because they are the cutest darn spaces on the shore. And the “lobby”…you won’t find a cozier place to sip hot coco. We also love the evening campfires on the beach!
Lutsen Resort offers adventures like dog sledding, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. The staff will set you up with your ideal winter experience and do it with a smile!
If lodge life isn’t for you, there are AirBnB’s available from $75 dollars an night upwards along the shore.
Where to Eat
Any of the resorts in the area have their own tasty dining options on site but if you’re looking to expand your dining experience I would recommend the following:
Situated right on why 61 with beautiful view of lake superior, you won’t find a better breakfast spot. I recommend the Eggs Benedict!
If you’re willing to drive twenty minutes to Grand Marais, go for a casual dinner at Gunflint Tavern. They have a large menu complete with an ethnic category that’s quite diverse.
Also in Grand Marais, this is the hometown pizza shop. It doesn’t get more northern than Sven’s.
If you’re exploring Grand Marais for the day, which I highly recommend, stop into Hungry Hippies for some seriously delicious tacos!
Note: if you’re heading to Grand Marais, check the hours of operation of the places you’d like to visit. During the winter season most business and restaurants have funny off-season hours.
Pro Tip
If you’ve planned a full week of skiing, I highly recommend taking a day off to drive up the Gunflint Trail!
The Gunflint Trail is a 55 mile long two-lane road through the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness. Driving up the trail in the winter, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a snow globe.
If you have hopes of spotting a moose, this is where you’ll have the most luck!
Between moose watching, hiking the easily accessible trails, and stopping for a meal or three, you can make a full day of the Gunflint Trail.
Year-round you can eat at Gunflint Lodge, about three quarters of the way up the trail. If you’re there for live music during the weekend there’s a good chance you’ll bump into me!
For a hearty breakfast or a good fish fry stop by Trail Center Lodge! They are closed around November/December for freeze-up so be sure to check their website before making plans.
Before you head up to the Gunflint, you should know there is no cell reception on the trail and limited fuel options so make sure you’ve got a plan going in.
Download your music, map out your hiking, and decide where you’re going to stop for meals then unplug and enjoy your adventure of the Gunflint Trail.
Let me know how it goes
If you make a ski trip to the Sawtooth Mountains this winter, let me know what you think! I’d love to hear about it!
Or, if you’ve been to Lutsen and have additional recommendations please share them in the comments!
Happy Skiing,
Recently, some friends have asked me to recommend some ski resorts out west for their winter vacation. I LOVE skiing out west! You really can’t go too wrong booking a ski trip there.
But if I may, let me suggest a ski trip you might not have considered – a Midwestern ski trip!
“Whaaaaa? You’re drinking your bath water, Ashley”
Look, I know the midwest isn’t exactly Mecca of the ski world but the north shore of Lake Superior holds a hidden gem unlike anything else in the midwest – the Sawtooth Mountains!
Sandwiched between the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness and Lake Superior, the Sawtooth Mountains offer views and activities unmatched anywhere else in the midwest.
Rising to almost 1,700 feet, you will get the best of both worlds – elevation change without elevation sickness.
To top it off, you’ll get the warmest hospitality Minnesota has to offer.
Where to Ski
There’s only one answer here – Lutsen Mountains, mid-
If you want a second opinion, Outside Magazine brags up Lutsen –
“Secret tree stashes? A hairy double-black-diamond chute? Terrain and powder that feel more West than East yet lie in the heart of the country? Lutsen has them all.”
Currently, Lutsen has 4 mountains, 95 runs, a 825’ vertical rise, and a picturesque eight passenger gondola.
I’ve skied this resort as a kiddo, high school ski racer, and now as a season pass holding recreational skier. I spend most of my time on Moose Mountain, which has my favorite views, runs, and, to be honest, my favorite bar. What can I say, skiing and a good ale pair well.
Moose Mountain is a gondola ride from the heart of the resort and offers some mellow runs along with some runs so steep your ski tips hang off the edge.
If you want to ski the entire resort, start your day at Moose where the sun shines first. Have lunch at the grill then hop on the gondola back to Eagle Mountain where you can visit Mystery Mountain as well.
If you’ve got folks or kiddos learning to ski, Ullr Mountain is where you’ll want to spend your time.
Where to Stay
You’ve got options!
If you want the convenience of ski in/ski out, stay at Eagle Ridge Resort right on the ski resort property. You’ll enjoy dining and live music seven days a week.
If you want luxury, Bluefin Bay is for you! You’ll enjoy a full spa, upscale dining, and decadent lodging.
If you want to stay at my favorite place you’ll be booking a few nights at Lutsen Resort on Lake Superior! It’s the oldest resort in Minnesota, founded in 1885.
My dad and I affectionally refer to the rooms as “keebler elf rooms” because they are the cutest darn spaces on the shore. And the “lobby”…you won’t find a cozier place to sip hot coco. We also love the evening campfires on the beach!
Lutsen Resort offers adventures like dog sledding, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing. The staff will set you up with your ideal winter experience and do it with a smile!
If lodge life isn’t for you, there are AirBnB’s available from $75 dollars an night upwards along the shore.
Where to Eat
Any of the resorts in the area have their own tasty dining options on site but if you’re looking to expand your dining experience I would recommend the following:
Situated right on why 61 with beautiful view of lake superior, you won’t find a better breakfast spot. I recommend the Eggs Benedict!
If you’re willing to drive twenty minutes to Grand Marais, go for a casual dinner at Gunflint Tavern. They have a large menu complete with an ethnic category that’s quite diverse.
Also in Grand Marais, this is the hometown pizza shop. It doesn’t get more northern than Sven’s.
If you’re exploring Grand Marais for the day, which I highly recommend, stop into Hungry Hippies for some seriously delicious tacos!
Note: if you’re heading to Grand Marais, check the hours of operation of the places you’d like to visit. During the winter season most business and restaurants have funny off-season hours.
Pro Tip
If you’ve planned a full week of skiing, I highly recommend taking a day off to drive up the Gunflint Trail!
The Gunflint Trail is a 55 mile long two-lane road through the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness. Driving up the trail in the winter, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a snow globe.
If you have hopes of spotting a moose, this is where you’ll have the most luck!
Between moose watching, hiking the easily accessible trails, and stopping for a meal or three, you can make a full day of the Gunflint Trail.
Year-round you can eat at Gunflint Lodge, about three quarters of the way up the trail. If you’re there for live music during the weekend there’s a good chance you’ll bump into me!
For a hearty breakfast or a good fish fry stop by Trail Center Lodge! They are closed around November/December for freeze-up so be sure to check their website before making plans.
Before you head up to the Gunflint, you should know there is no cell reception on the trail and limited fuel options so make sure you’ve got a plan going in.
Download your music, map out your hiking, and decide where you’re going to stop for meals then unplug and enjoy your adventure of the Gunflint Trail.
Let me know how it goes
If you make a ski trip to the Sawtooth Mountains this winter, let me know what you think! I’d love to hear about it!
Or, if you’ve been to Lutsen and have additional recommendations please share them in the comments!
Happy Skiing,
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